The Mueller Opus

The report reprises some greatest hits, like the Trump Tower Meeting, with some hidden treasures, and unexplored "B"sides.  Highlights include Don McGhan's multiple takes of "Stop in the Name of Law," Michael Cohen's "Sing, Sing Sing," and Sarah Sanders' soulless rendition of "I Didn't Hear it Through the Grapevine."

The liner notes make clear the necessity for this concept piece.  On multiple levels, a hostile foreign power interfered in the 2016 election ,with the open encouragement of one of the campaigns.  Meetings were frequent, and polling data was exchanged.  Unlike a witch hunt, which always finds a witch, Mueller judiciously determined there was not enough evidence for the crime of conspiracy.  Shell casings were everywhere, but no smoking gun.

Side two, obstruction, was a clearer case.  Ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.   For anyone not holding temporary presidential immunity,  what I read was so fulsome as to earn a long stay at Folsom prison.  Criminality aside,  by word and deed, scrupulously attributed to Trump's handpicked associates, this creature of chaos, narcissism and veniality is a blot on our history.

The report should not play softly in the back of your mind like a Miles Davis rift,  It should be cranked up to full punk band intensity.  Our system of free elections was attacked by Russia, and our president is without a particle of patriotism.  Where is his outrage?  He is too filled with self love to have any room for love of country.

A Tale of Two Men

He was the best of men, he was the worst of men.  One man has been married for over 50 years to his high school sweetheart.  The other is tabloid fodder.  One man was a decorated marine officer during the Vietnam War, while the other had bone spurs. One man lives in a house,  the other lives in a high rise Versailles.

 One man brought down the Gambino crime family.   The other has been sued for fraud and discrimination.    One man was unanimously approved by the Senate twice, as FBI Director.  The other can barely cobble together a legislative majority.

One man runs silent and deep. The other captains a leaky ship.   One man has a reputation for integrity.  The other has a reputation.  One man is a life long Republican.  The other changed parties four times.

Yet Republicans have clinched their bible belts tight, and lined up behind President Trump.  By a margin of 3 to one they believe the Mueller investigation is a partisan witch hunt.

Marie Antionette is leading the peasant revolt, but her promise to pass out cake is just another lie.

Tale of the Tape

With limber thumbs and a reconstituted legal team, President Trump is fighting against Robert Mueller and the Department of Justice.  To preview the match, here is the tale of the tape.  I apologize that I could not figure out how to do side by side columns.

Donald Trump

Born

1946

Family

Married 3 times

3 children by his first wife

1 child each by his  2^nd and  3^rd wives

Multiple, often public, affairs

Education

Included MBA from Wharton

Military Service

Did not serve in Viet Nam

4 student deferments

After being declared eligible for the draft in 1968, obtained a medical deferment for bone spurs

Political Affiliation

Democrat until 1987

Republican 1987 until 2001

Democrat 2001-2009

Republican 2009 to present

Litigation

1900 cases as Plaintiff

1450 as Defendant

Majority of Plaintiff cases to recover gambling debts.

Majority of Defendant cases, personal injury cases related to hotels and  casinos.

In 1975 settled law suit by DOJ for racial discrimination.  Case renewed in 1978.

Six bankruptcies involving casinos and hotels.

In 2016 paid 25 million to settle fraud suit against Trump University

Sued by porn star regarding non-disclosure agreement and defamation

Political 

Formed exploratory committee in 2000 to run for President as Reform Party nominee.

Won 2016 presidential election as a Republican.

Wealth

Through real estate, media, branding and inheritance, Trump has assets well in excess of a billion dollars.

Robert Mueller

Born

1944

Family

Married for 51 years to his high school sweetheart. 

Two children

Education

Princeton undergraduate, U of Virginal law school

Military Service

Joined Marines, served in Viet Nam

Bronze Star, 2 Navy Commendations

Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry

Political Affiliation

Republican

Litigation

Major cases included prosecution of the Gambino crime family, the Lockerbie bombing and Noriega

Political

Appointed Acting Deputy Attorney General by President Bush in 2001.

Appointed FBI Director in 2001 by President Bush.  Unanimously approved by Senate

In 2011 term extended 2 years by President Obama.  Unanimously approved by Senate.

Wealth

Through practice of law has become a multi millionaire. 

The Circle Game

Trump is being run over by karma.  He is now at the mercy of those, to whom, he showed none.  He has derided and demeaned the intelligence services.  The deep state is surfacing with leaks of Trump's mishandling of classified information.

Trump wailed sourly at the NY Times, The Washington Post, and CNN which have been only too happy to trumpet Trump failings, and to exploit every leak.  Leaks have not only been from down deep, but also much closer to home.  Trump has undercut his staff, who have in turn delivered uppercuts for the media.

Trump fired FBI Director Comey.  His comeuppance will be direct.  Trump played Deputy Assistant General Rod Rosenstein.  Having not spared the Rod, Trump will be despoiled by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Karma is a bitch.  Right now she is the only one sharing Trump's bed.